Lawndale - Chicago, IL Area Guide

Lawndale's history includes several shifts in the culture that have built it up and torn it down, only to see it built up again.

With a revolving door of immigrants from all over the globe, Lawndale's economic and real estate markets saw a rapidly increasing population in the 1940s that built upon the early-century settlements. This historic area of the city includes being a part of the historic Route 66, most likely a nod to the thriving industry that called Lawndale home.

The early 1900s saw Sears, Roebuck & Co. put down roots in Lawndale. Mount Sinai Hospital followed suit, as did an endless number of synagogues. The culture here, however, was largely built by the energetic jazz and blues scenes that graced the neighborhood in the 1950s.

The 1950s also saw the arrival of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who affected the neighborhood's history significantly. Modern times have revitalized the neighborhood, creating a real estate market more reminiscent of Lawndale's early booms.

That revitalization continuously builds the community spirit of this neighborhood and makes Lawndale increasingly attractive to new residents and businesses who seek to recapture the social and economic prosperity of the long-gone past.

Lawndale restaurants lean more toward cheap eats, casual atmospheres and home-cooked comfort and health foods, a boon to the community despite its lack of nightlife.

Fill up at Hody's Grill on cheap, traditional greasy-spoon goodies 24 hours a day at what locals consider one of the best hidden spots. Fill your stomach on the pancakes and corned beef hash rib-eye, both local favorites, but try not to drop too much in the video game slots or your meal comes with a hefty price tag.

When your body demands food of a healthier variety, head to the Green Tomato Cafe. Here, you can delight in locally-roasted coffee, a full smoothie menu with green and peanut butter varieties that locals love, and a menu with most items under $5. Locals love it for the low prices and the cozy and clean atmosphere, too, but the home-cooked wholesomeness of the food remains the biggest draw.

While the bar scene in Lawndale lacks luster, the Green Tomato also offers a low-key alternative on the last Friday of every month. Stop in to hop on stage during the open-mic night or listen to those brave enough to grace the stage.

Lawndale enjoys easy parking, easy public bus transit via the Chicago Transit Authority and easy access to the interstates.

When heading to Cicero, hop on the 19 bus off 16th Street. Hop off on State Street to hit downtown via the 29. You can also connect with the Pink Line train after a quick ride on the 53, which runs down Pulaski Avenue in both directions. If you prefer, head to south Lawndale to grab a lift on the Blue Line train (or "El," as it's commonly called because of its elevated track).

Many residents like to drive since the wide area Lawndale covers makes driving yourself the ultimate convenience. A 10-minute straight route finds you downtown and in the Loop, but driving makes neighborhood errands much easier when you have a lot to carry.

Find easy interstate access to the Eisenhower Expressway off Cicero Avenue, Independence Boulevard and Western Avenue, making those trips out of the area a snap. Easy parking at home or on the streets also keeps many residents happily driving as well.

Walking and biking options depend on how close you live to where you need to go but are good options during the day. You can also call a cab or use a service like Uber or Lyft, which provides faster service than trying to hail a taxi throughout the majority of the area.

Lawndale residents don't have to look far for exercise and abundant, creatively designed green spaces. While the Franklin Park offers a unique look courtesy of famous designer Jens Jensen, Altgeld Park provides residents with many recreational options to stay active.

Head to Altgeld Park for a weekend family picnic, or jump into one of the baseball or softball games frequently in progress. When you'd rather relax, bring a book and release the kids to run and kick their energy out on the soccer field.

When the weather keeps you wiping your brow, join other locals in the outdoor pool. Do some laps for some exercise, or sit back and let the cool water provide much-needed relief from the summer heat.

While a good-sized playground provides plenty of entertainment for your wee ones, the park also offers after-school programs, a summer day camp and special events year-round. Grab the whole family or make a date night for Movies in the Park during the summer, or pick a favorite team to cheer on in the frequent baseball tournaments.

While housing costs stay low across the board in Lawndale, home owners have a slight edge when it comes to cost of living even though the buying market often stays a little tight. While rents can expect to pay around $900 for a one-bedroom, snatching up more space doesn't cost much more. Many four-bedroom rental options come in under $1,300 a month. Comparatively, the average mortgage of home owners in Lawndale hovers between $500 and $600. As an added boon to owners, the Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative helps owners modernize many of the century-old limestones in this community. Revitalized condos rank among the popular options among residents. Prices for these units make single-family homes more affordable to the families attracted to this area. Thanks to reasonable housing costs, Lawndale enjoys a cost of living that settles far below the city average.

While residents head outside Lawndale's borders for most goods, several local areas provide convenient shopping. The Lawndale Plazashopping center sits right outside in neighboring Homan Square. Here, residents enjoy a movie theatre, a grocer, a bank and a handful of small businesses.

Local shoppers who want to browse high-end boutiques must journey into nearby neighborhoods to find the outfits and accessories they crave. In Humboldt Park, shoppers can find quality pieces at Squasht Boutique, and in the nearby Ukrainian Village in West Town, customers can browse for timeless yet modern clothing at Sir & Madame.

For fresh summer produce, locals hit up the Lawndale Farmers' Market at the intersection of Central Park and Ogden on Wednesday mornings. In this spot, they find an assortment of locally grown fruits and veggies, as well as plenty of plants and flowers.